hydroxyurea

Along with its benefits, hydroxyurea treatment may cause severe, sometimes fatal side effects (see also Side Effects section). Your doctor will follow you closely while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

Cancers have been reported with the use of this medication but it is not known if these cancers are due to the drug or the disease being treated. Consult your doctor for more details.

Uses

This medication is used in people with sickle cell anemia to reduce the number of painful crises caused by the disease and to reduce the need for blood transfusions. It is also used to treat several types of cancer (such as chronic myelogenous leukemia, squamous cell carcinomas).

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

How to use hydroxyurea

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking hydroxyurea and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsules. Wash your hands after taking this medication.

Dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, laboratory test results, and response to treatment. Your treatment may be stopped for a short time if your blood counts are too low. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.

Caregivers should wear disposable gloves when handling this medication or its container. If the powder inside the capsule spills, wipe it up with a wet paper towel and immediately dispose of the towel in a closed plastic bag. Make sure not to breathe the powder from the capsules. Wash hands after handling the medication.

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the capsules.

Side Effects

Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

This medication decreases bone marrow function, an effect that may lead to a low number of blood cells such as red cells, white cells, and platelets. This effect can cause anemia, decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, or cause you to bruise or bleed more easily. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms: signs of an infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, pale skin, unusual tiredness.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: skin problems (such as ulcers, darkened/blackened/reddened skin, unusual growths/moles).

Precautions

Before taking hydroxyurea, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Hydroxyurea can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug.

It is unknown if this medication affects the sperm. If you plan to father a child, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

Hydroxyurea is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control with your doctor. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

Hydroxyurea passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: didanosine, stavudine, interferon.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose include: swelling/scaling of hands and feet.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, kidney/liver function) must be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised December 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Find a Drug or Condition

DrugConditionEnter a drug name. Use the arrow keys to navigate suggestions.